The child health experts explained that babies’ feet are delicate and need to be allowed to grow and develop naturally without barriers.
According to them, badly fitted footwear can lead to a number of problems, including ingrown toenails, bunions, and deformities of the foot.
The physicians who spoke exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, recommended that parents should choose shoes that are soft and flexible for their babies to allow for movement and growth.
A Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Omotayo Adesiyun, says the toes of babies wearing tight-fitted shoes will become squished together and will not properly align and the feet will become deformed.
Adesiyun, who is a Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, said shoes are not necessarily needed for babies because they cannot walk around.
According to her, putting on tight-fitting shoes can lead to consequences for small children.
“The immediate effect is that it causes discomfort and pain and they will be crying. The more serious effect is that if the parents keep putting on the tight shoes, the toes will become squished together and will not be properly aligned and the feet will become deformed.
“Shoes are meant to protect our feet when we walk around. Small babies do not walk around so shoes for them are just for dressing.
“For the older ones who have started walking, they should wear properly fitted shoes, not too small or not too big.
“In our environment, because of the cost, parents also put on shoes for children which are too big. My advice for parents is that when the child has outgrown the shoe, keep it for the next child. Appropriate shoes for children should be flat and protective”, explained.
The paediatrician further said ,“Clothes for children should be comfortable and appropriate for the weather.
Generally for babies, when we are cold, they too are cold and when we are hot, they are also hot.
Their clothes should be comfortable and not too big. In the hot weather, they should not wear clothes that are too thick for them. When it is cold, they should not expose them.”
On his part, a Consultant Paediatrician at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ayo Adetoye warned parents against the dangers of babies wearing tight-fitted shoes.
While noting that tight-fitting shoes can cause damage to the baby’s feet, the child health expert stressed that these problems can be avoided by choosing the right shoes for the baby.
Adetoye explained that the best shoes for babies are those that are made from soft, breathable materials such as leather or canvas.
He added, “We see many cases of children with problems related to inappropriate shoes. Babies’ feet are still growing and developing, and they need shoes that allow them to move and grow naturally.
“When parents come into the clinic, we see a lot of babies wearing shoes that are far too small and too rigid. These shoes don’t allow the baby’s foot to move freely, and they can actually hinder the normal development of the foot.
“The shoes should also have a flexible sole that allows the baby’s foot to move and bend naturally.
“Parents should also make sure that their baby’s shoes fit well. They should be able to wiggle their toes and the shoes should not be too tight or too loose.
He, however, recommended that parents allow their babies to play and crawl around barefoot as much as possible.
He explained, “Barefoot time is important for babies’ development. It helps them to learn to walk and develop the muscles in their feet and legs.”
“As babies get older, their feet will change and grow. It is important to have their feet measured regularly so that their shoes can be changed as needed. It’s also important to get the shoes checked by a professional to make sure that they are still fitting well.”
According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, wearing shoes that are too tight or too small can cause a number of problems for babies and young children. These problems include blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails, and bunions. In some cases, the problems can even lead to permanent deformities of the foot.
The study, which was conducted by a team of pediatricians and podiatrists, looked at the effects of tight shoes on a group of children aged 2 to 7 years old.
The study found that wearing tight shoes can lead to a number of problems, both in the short and long term.
In the short term, tight shoes can cause pain and discomfort, which can lead to difficulty walking and problems with balance. In the long term, tight shoes can cause the bones and muscles in the feet to become deformed, which can lead to problems with walking and posture.
The study also discovered that children who wear tight shoes are more likely to develop problems with their joints and muscles as they get older.
The study also found that tight shoes can have a negative impact on a child’s growth. Children who wear tight shoes often have smaller feet than children who wear properly fitting shoes. In some cases, the difference in size can be as much as two or three shoe sizes. This can lead to difficulties with walking and problems with fitting into shoes as the child grows.
The researchers noted that the best way to prevent these problems is to make sure that children’s shoes are properly fitted. It is also important to make sure that shoes are checked on a regular basis to ensure that they are still a good fit as the child grows.
